Diagramming sentences...dd is getting stuck...

[Sue G in PA]

My dd has sailed through R&S5 up until now (midway through). She's getting stuck on the more advanced level diagramming and forgetting the basics as we go through. It's just not "sticking". I'm not sure why except that she isn't putting it all together that diagramming is really just figuring out how each word "fits" in the sentence in relation to the other words. She is 11 (6th grade) but I feel still on the fringe of the grammar stage in so many subjects (like this one!). Anyway, I need some creative minds to help me figure out how to help her. My dh and I brainstormed a few: I'm going to make a Word document of different words for each part of speech we've studied so far, have it laminated and put velcro on the back of each "card". I'm going to make a flannel board and have her "play" with the words to form sentences and then have her diagram them on the flannel board. I'm not sure she's necessarily a hands-on type learner, but I'm willing to try anything PLUS it will help ds9 as well who IS a hand-on learner. Does this sound like a good/helpful idea? I'm looking for more...anything that has helped your dc with diagramming would be appreciated! I don't want to move her forward too far knowing this isn't "sticking", KWIM? TIA!

[Sue G in PA]

Is there another grammar program out there, besides R&S, that might explain diagramming a bit better/differently? Perhaps the problem in her retention is with the program's explanation, not her ability?

[HollyDay]

We used Winston 1 this year. It was tremendously helpful. THey teach diagramming a bit different. Instead of drawing the lines you identify every part of speech in the sentence. It uses cards to ask and answer questions. It really is a totally different approach. The only other program I can think of would be BJU. We used that up until this year very successfully. THe only reason I did not use it this year is the WInston 1 and CW using Harvey's Grammar.

[Kathie in VA]

Well I'm using CW Homer w/Harvey's Elem Grammar and between the two we are learning both diagramming and parsing. We label each word as Subj, Trasitive Verb, Intrasitive Verb, Direct Object, etc. As we get further into the program she will be listing everything about each word (it's part of speech, plural/singular, type of verb, etc.).. all this in addition to diagramming the sentence.

Now something else I've discovered is Mary Daly's First Book of Diagramming. It does a great (sometimes better) job of explaining the grammatical terms... and it has lots of diagramming examples to study.

hth

[Suzanne in ABQ]

My ds is doing R&S4, and he gets stuck frequently. I've found that if we go through and label each word in the sentence first, before diagramming, it helps him a lot.
So, for each sentence:

We find the simple predicate (verb or verb phrase -- he still has trouble with these) and underline them twice.

Then, we find the subject, and underline it once.

If there are any prepositional phrases, I put them in parentheses, and tell him to ignore them (we're not doing them at this point of book 4).

We find the direct object/predicate nouns, and identify them.

Then, we find the adjectives/articles, and draw arrows to the nouns they modify. (We'll do the same for adverbs, in the next chapter.)

Once we're satisfied that we've identified the purpose of every word in the sentence, he sets up his diagram, and plugs in the words. Everything goes in easily at that point.

[Carol in Cal.]

So, we always start with the verb or verb phrase. We find it and make sure that it's complete. Is it compound? Are there helping verbs? Is the verb phrase separated (as in a question)?

Then we say, "Who or what verbed?" That is the simple subject. Is it compound? Is it implied (as in a command)?

Then back to the verb. Is it an action verb or a state of being verb? Given the answer to that question, should we look for a direct object? for a predicate nominative? for a predicate adjective? Are they there?

Next, are there any adjectives or adverbs, and what do they modify?

Next, are there any prepositional phrases? If so, what is the preposition? What is its object? What does the phrase modify? Are there any internal adjectives or adverbs?

I think that returning to this order every time DD gets stuck has really helped her as sentences have become more and more complex. She wants to be able to start at the beginning of the sentence and just diagram everything in order, but that is not the best way to do it. Always start with the verb, then with the subject, etc. That way you don't get confused.

[PG4WOODS]

Elementary Diagramming by Mary Daly www.hedgeschool.com/ (http://www.hedgeschool.com/)

or

The Complete Book of Diagrams also by Mary Daly can be purchased from The Riggs Institute
www.riggsinst.org/catalog02.htm (http://www.riggsinst.org/catalog02.htm)